sector

[ sek-ter ]

/ ˈsɛk tər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sector ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Geometry. a plane figure bounded by two radii and the included arc of a circle.

a mathematical instrument consisting of two flat rulers hinged together at one end and bearing various scales.

Machinery. a device used in connection with an index plate, consisting of two arms rotating about the center of the plate and set to indicate the angle through which the work is indexed.

Military. a designated defense area, usually in a combat zone, within which a particular military unit operates and for which it is responsible.

Astronomy. an instrument shaped like a sector of a circle, having a variable central angle and sights along the two straight sides, for measuring the angular distance between two celestial bodies.

a distinct part, especially of society or of a nation's economy: the housing sector; the educational sector.

a section or zone, as of a city.

Computers. a portion of a larger block of storage, as 1/128 of a track or disk.

verb (used with object)

to divide into sectors.

Nearby words

section hand, section mark, sectional, sectionalism, sectionalize, sector, sectoranopia, sectorial, secular, secular humanism, secular tertiaries

Origin of sector

1560–70; < Late Latin: sector, Latin: cutter, equivalent to of sec(āre) to cut + -tor -tor

Related forms

sec·tor·al, adjectivesub·sec·tor, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sector

There were now five British corps in the British sector, and five American corps in the American sector.
Blood in the Sand: When James Jones Wrote a Grunt’s View of D-Day|James Jones|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This addition ultimately “reactivated” that sector of the city.
Frank Gehry Is Architecture’s Mad Genius|Sarah Moroz|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is a problem where every sector, including governments and NGOs, need to work together on the solutions.
How Your Company Can End Violence Against Girls|Gary Cohen|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Having finally re-joined the main body of the Ukrainian forces, the beleaguered defenders of Sector D were evacuated.
Ukrainian Troops Retreat From Russian Border, Leaving 100 Kilometers Open to Invasion|Pierre Vaux|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The withdrawal from Sector D leaves several other border crossings open.
Ukrainian Troops Retreat From Russian Border, Leaving 100 Kilometers Open to Invasion|Pierre Vaux|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For a long time—in exact figures just a month, which to restless fighting men is a near eternity—the sector was quiet.
With the Doughboy in France|Edward Hungerford
He had learned at least that much of German warfare and German honor, even in the quiet Toul sector.
Tom Slade Motorcycle Dispatch Bearer|Percy Keese Fitzhugh
Probably in this sector Q, as the quartermaster-generals branch of the staff is known, was at the zenith of its efficiency.
The History of the 51st (Highland) Division 1914-1918|Frederick William Bewsher
They had served until a couple of days before as the headquarters of the German division holding the sector.
History of Ambulance Company Number 139|Various
"Sector Chief Hayes here," the voice said at last through the speaker.
Eight Keys to Eden|Mark Irvin Clifton

British Dictionary definitions for sector

sector

/ (ˈsɛktə) /

noun

a part or subdivision, esp of a society or an economythe private sector

geometry either portion of a circle included between two radii and an arc. Area: 1/2 r ²θ, where r is the radius and θ is the central angle subtended by the arc (in radians)

a measuring instrument consisting of two graduated arms hinged at one end

a part or subdivision of an area of military operations

computing the smallest addressable portion of the track on a magnetic tape, disk, or drum store

Derived Forms

sectoral, adjective

Word Origin for sector

C16: from Late Latin: sector, from Latin: a cutter, from secāre to cut

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for sector

sector

[ sĕk′tər ]

The part of a circle bounded by two radii and the arc between them.